The H.B. Ross Manufacturing Company is proud to present the
Ross Meter
The ACVGD Ross Meter answers the trouble crew’s question, “We know the underground secondary has failed but where do we dig?” With the Ross Meter, the operator can locate an underground secondary cable fault in as little as 15 minutes without disconnecting anything at the site or connecting anything else to the cable. The Ross Meter uses the AC voltage gradient already present in the soil to lead the operator directly to the fault.
A Complete and Easy-to-Carry Device
The Ross Meter
The Ross Meter, also known as the ACVGD, is an AC voltage gradient detector which locates direct buried secondary cable faults. Since 1975, linemen have trusted the Ross Meter to quickly, effectively and safely locate these types of faults. The ergonomically designed Ross Meter reduces risks of electrical contacts and any temptation to cut corners. With 30 second setup and teardown times, it’s the industry leader for speed and efficiency when answering trouble calls concerning circuits with direct buried secondary cable faults. This unit can handle up to 300 volts AC and will sense as little as 25 mV in the ground.
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There is a BIG Difference
The Ross Meter vs. Other Underground Fault-Locating Systems
| Feature | ROSS METER | H.J. Arnett Pinpointer HJA-471 | TIMCO Spitfire 300801 | Vivax VM-510FFL+ w/ A Frame |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Typical Time to Locate Fault | 15 minutes or less* | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Setup / Teardown | Approx. 30 seconds. No alterations at the site is required | Transmitter setup required – Cable isolation (>80v) | Meter removal may be required – Transmitter is connected to faulted conductor | Cable isolation & ground-bond preparation required then Transmitter setup required |
| External Transmitter Required | NO | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Connection to Faulted Cable Required for Locating | NO | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Injects a Locating Signal Into the Cable | NO | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Uses the Fault’s Existing AC Leakage Signal | YES | No | No | No |
| Separate Transmitter Power Required | NO. None required | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Primary Locating Equipment | Meter + 2 Probes | Transmitter + Receiver/Probes + Leads | Transmitter + Detector + Probes + Leads | Transmitter + A-Frame/Receiver + Leads |
| One-Person Operation | YES | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Must Know Exact Cable Route Before Locating | NO | No | No | No — also provides cable tracing |
| High-Voltage Locating Pulse | NONE | Up to 2,500 VDC pulses | Approx. 960 VDC nominal pulses | Signal supplied by compatible transmitter |
| Direct-Buried Secondary Fault Location | YES — Purpose-Built | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Digital Cable Depth / Tracing Capability | Not Required | No | No | Yes |
| Locating Philosophy | Detect what the fault is already producing | Create an artificial fault signal | Create an artificial fault signal | Create and trace an artificial fault signal |
| Field Advantage | Arrive. Probe. Locate. | Active high-energy fault locating | Active high-energy fault locating | Advanced digital locating and tracing |
| Approx MSRP | $2130 | ~$2,300 | ~$5,000 | ~$1640 |
Why Add Another Piece of Equipment When the Fault Is Already Producing the Signal?
The Ross Meter is a passive AC voltage-gradient detector (ACVGD). It does not require a transmitter to be connected to the faulted conductor and does not inject a locating signal into the cable.
Instead, it detects the electrical leakage already entering the earth from a direct-buried secondary cable fault and guides the operator to the location of the fault within minutes – something no other detector can do.
Find the Fault. Make the Repair. Restore the Service.
No transmitter.
No cable connection.
No complicated menus.
No elaborate setup.
Find the fault and get the customer’s power restored.
Approximately 30 Seconds to Set Up.
Typically Locate the Fault in 15 Minutes or Less.*
*HB Ross Manufacturing states that operators familiar with the Ross Meter typically locate qualifying direct-buried secondary cable faults within 15 minutes or less after arrival. Actual fault-location time varies depending on fault type, soil conditions, cable configuration, operator experience and other site conditions.
Competitive information is based on publicly available manufacturer literature and documentation. Product specifications and procedures may change. No comparable manufacturer-published average fault-location time was found for the competing products shown. MSRP is approximate – call a dealer for an accurate quote.
Safety
Our Main Goal is to Keep Operators Safe.
- Operators are not required to isolate the source or load because the Ross Meter makes use of the existing 60hz A.C. voltage that is still energizing the faulted cable.
- The Ross Meter is passive and is never connected directly to the load cable in question.
Efficiency
Achieve Maximum Productivity.
- Use of the Ross Meter effectively results in a 90% reduction in set-up and operation time. The operator merely walks out to where the cable is buried and begins to probe along the path of the cable.
- The Ross Meter does not require the operator to place a signal onto the faulted cable.
Cost Benefit
Maximum Return on Investment.
- The Ross Meter is easy to use and its application to the job of locating the precise location of the fault can be mastered in just a few times of use.
- Time costs money and this tool provides the user the ability to quickly locate faults which in turn reduces global costs for the job and the company.
Conservation
Preservation of Resources.
- With greater efficiency and no excessive energy used to troubleshoot the problem, the Ross Meter reduces costs and saves energy.
- Even though energy conservation reduces energy services, it can result in increased safety for the men on site and higher cost savings for your company.